IJOC

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

2. MISSION AND PURPOSE

• to assist teachers in providing more opportunity for individual attention and enrichment to students;
• to increase student motivation and appreciation for the value of continual learning through both schooling and experiences beyond the classroom;
• to provide the community an opportunity to become involved with the educational system through direct and positive participation in the schools.

2. THE VOLUNTEER

QUALIFICATIONS:

As a volunteer, you do not need a teaching degree, previous training or experience nor do you need to be a parent. You do need to like children and be a kind and responsible person. You should have a feeling of commitment to your volunteer activities, regular attendance and the ability to cooperate with school personnel, flexibility and a dedication to fulfill all obligations you take on are also necessary.

 

 

 

 

APPROVED: November, 1989

3. GUIDELINES

A SCHOOL VOLUNTEER IS:

Committed

• Be dependable and prompt. The teacher will have planned for you. The students are dependent on you. If you cannot keep a volunteer appointment, notify proper person as far in advance as possible.
• Sign the volunteer sign-in book upon your arrival at school and wear your name tag while in the building.
• Keep a record of all your hours for the SVP coordinator on the designated form.
• Participation in orientation sessions and in any training sessions as needed.

Confidential

• Your work is confidential. Do not discuss a student with anyone except appropriate school personnel.
• If you have questions about school policies or procedures, they should be discussed with appropriate personnel.
• You should feel free to discuss concerns with the principal and SVP coordinator.

• Follow directions of the teacher. Do not hesitate to ask for more specific instructions when necessary.
• Communicate with the teacher about goals, methods, discipline and assignments.
• Know and follow school regulations, as explained during your orientation.
• Know the importance of the volunteer’s role as an example to children in behavior, speech and dress.
• If you work with children outside the classroom, they should not be taken to any area except that specified by the teacher.

• Be patient and understanding. Motivate them by praising their accomplishments, even small ones.
• Build the child’s self-confidence.
• Let the child/children know they are important and that you enjoy being with them.

Professional

• If you maintain an interest and concern for those with whom you work, as well as a professional attitude toward responsibilities, you should find this experience satisfying, successful and enjoyable. If it is not, talk it over with the teacher and the SVP coordinator as soon as possible.

Experience

• Your volunteer work and your volunteer training is accepted by most business and industry as work experience when you apply for a job. Keeping this in mind, it is important that you keep a record and the school keeps a record of your volunteer hours and any training, workshops or conferences you attend.

2. WHAT A VOLUNTEER SHOULD KNOW

• Dress Code for Volunteers – Discretion and good taste, remembering that adults set an example for the children.
• Place to Work – Usually determine by the teacher.
• Taking Children From the Classroom – Only with the knowledge and approval of the teacher.
• Disciplining Students – Not the responsibility of the volunteer. The volunteer may correct, but not discipline. It is helpful to get a feeling for what behavior is acceptable in a room by observing the teacher.
• Parking – Area to be designated by the school principal.
• Teachers’ Lounge – The teachers’ lounge is for the teachers use only.
• Eating and Smoking – A comfortable eating area will be provided. Smoking is not allowed.
• Sign-in Procedures – Volunteers are asked to sign-in upon arrival at the school, wear their name tags while in the building, then sign-out when leaving.
• Volunteer Hours – Volunteers are asked to keep a record of all their hours and turn them in to the SVP coordinator and the building principal.
• Absence Procedures – It is essential that volunteers take the responsibility of notifying the teacher as soon as they know that an absence is necessary. Individual school procedures will be explained at orientation.
• Use of Custodial Services – Please inform the teacher of any problem. The teacher will speak to the custodian.
• Telephone – The telephone in the office work room may be used.
• Medicine – All medicine is kept in the nurse’s office and administered only by the school nurse or her designated assistant.
• Fire Drill – Volunteers follow the rules and examples of the teacher with whom they are working. If a volunteer has a child outside the classroom, the child should be taken out of the nearest exit, then go with the child around the school building to find the child’s class group. There will be further explanation at time of orientation.
• Placement of Volunteer in Own Child’s Classroom – This practice is usually discouraged. Procedure on this should be developed as part of the program policy at each school.

2. WHAT SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS DO

The ways a volunteer can help are almost unlimited. Utilization of volunteers depends upon the particular needs of the school and of each teacher in conjunction with the availability of qualified volunteers to perform the requested services. Schools are urged to request volunteers in any area where an extra pair of hands is needed.

School volunteers usually work a minimum of an hour or two a week, though some work several days a week. An enrichment volunteer may contribute only a few hours in a year, while most others make a regular weekly commitment. The amount of time depends on interests, other commitments, and the type of volunteer activity.

Some Basic Areas in Which a Volunteer Can Help:

After School Program	Library/Media Center
Art	Making Educational Materials at Home
Audio-Visual Department	Materials Preparation
Baby-sit for Volunteers	Material Resource Center
Booster Club	Music and Drama
Career Education	Newsletter
Classroom Aide	Nurse/Health Center
Clerical	Physical Education
Community Resource Person	Playground and Luncheon special occasions
Community/School Partnerships	Programs for Handicapped and Learning Disabled
Computer Supervision and/or Instruction	Programs for Gifted/Talented
Enrichment Activities	Room Parent
Field Trips	Special Projects
Laboratories	Tutoring

3. WHAT SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS DON’T DO

• Do not discipline children – a volunteer may correct a student but if discipline is necessary, it should be administered by school personnel.
• Do not release a child to any person other than the child’s teacher.
• Do not diagnose of prescribe instructional programs.
• Do not start stories or carry rumors outside of school.
• Do not evaluate students.
• Do not take over for teachers.

2. THE TEACHER

As a teacher, you have the opportunity to utilize volunteers in the day to day pursuit of educating your students. The effective integration of expertise and talent offered by these volunteers will give you more time to work with your students in ways you have always wanted to but for which you have not had the time. The jobs volunteers can do are only limited by your imagination. You are the manager of your classroom. Plan for your volunteer(s) by writing his/her duties into your daily lesson plan. The relationship between you and your volunteer(s) should be a professional one of mutual respect and confidence.

 

 

3. GUIDELINES

• You determine where a volunteer can be of service to you and your class, i.e., children needing individual help or group work, subject areas where assistance is needed, time of day, day of week, length of time, etc.
• Fill out "teacher request form" and return to SVP coordinator and/or principal.

Preparing the Class

• It is helpful to discuss the volunteer program with the class and explain how it will work in the classroom.
• Inform students of the behavior expected of them when working with a volunteer.
• Inform students when the volunteer who is working with them is absent.

Orientation and Training of the Volunteer

• The volunteers receives general orientation and training from the SVP coordinator and school principal before they start their duties.
• It is the responsibility of the individual teacher to give the volunteer specific training for most assignments.
• You and the volunteer should meet prior to the first volunteering session and discuss your needs and expectations, the volunteer’s interests and expectations, and to set up a schedule of days and times for the volunteer to work with you.
• Discuss duties, time schedules, class philosophy and routine, communication channels, discipline, etc.

• Plan the work before the volunteer arrives. A Teacher Volunteer planning sheet and a file folder specifically for the volunteer is very helpful.
• Acquaint the volunteer with class procedures, materials, records and provide working space needed to carry out assignments.
• Discuss with the volunteer what occurred each session or see that a "log" of assignments and volunteer comments is kept.
• Share with the volunteer any ideas that might work with individual children and listen to the volunteer’s comments, observations and ideas.
• Notify the program coordinator in advance if she/he will not be needed at the regular time due to field trips, assemblies, etc.
• Keep open the lines of communication with the volunteer the key to a successful volunteer-teacher relationship.
• Tell the volunteer of your needs. The volunteer will usually be glad to help in whatever way possible.
• If a problem develops in the working relationship between you and the volunteer, talk to the volunteer about it. She/he may not be aware of the problem and be happy to try to correct it. If the problem remains unsolved after talking together, it is usually suggested that:

1. you talk with the principal or SVP coordinator;
2. the volunteer talk with the SVP coordinator.

• The principal and SVP coordinator have the responsibility to see that, if necessary, the volunteer is reassigned or counseled out of the program.

• You should periodically check to see whether the volunteer is helping meet the goals of your classroom.
• You may be asked to evaluate your volunteer(s) as well as the SVP at the end of the school year.
• Volunteers have proven to be most dependable and successful when they feel satisfaction and appreciation in their job.
• "Thank you" can never be said enough.
• Arrange for students to show appreciation.
• Arrange for periodic as well as year-end recognition.